i a man so excited si I figured I would tell my bullseye buddies. I just picked up my RO "Salyer" precision 1911. It's a beauty. New Kart match barrel. Total turnkey job. 3.5# trigger job. Watch out "X" I'm coming for you. This is my first ever bullseye pistol

I appreciate having someone take ownership of their work. Many do not and tend to use their anonymity to reduce quality. Not that they are necessarily bad artisans, but it's human nature. Would a Van Gogh be worth much without a signature? Of course, this is just my opinion.

Thank God that James Hoag, Jim Clark, Sr., Jim Clark, Jr., Arnold Swenson, & the like didn't identify any of their work by putting their name on it. Although I am sure that you don't need the money, nor had it built by him to increase it's value it will add to the guns value. I would hate to tell anyone how many stories that a gun was built by a famous smith but that the owner didn't want it marked, and the gun naturally is total junk.

Went to my local gun store and saw a used Rem Rand 1911 with target sights, just when I was interested in getting into shooting EIC matches - a "true" service pistol. I flipped it over, and saw "Clark Hardball", which told me much more about the gun and its provenance; I bought it on the spot. Made a difference for me!

PS - I also have a Salyer upgrade (discreetly marked) on my Janos Videcki build (no marks). I wish the history was better documented! Dave is a fine bullseye gunsmith and a great guy - I recommend him highly.

by Dr.Don Today at 11:51 amClark put his name on his guns for decades. I have one.

Just kidding, Dr Don. I've been around the block more times than I care to remember. I pretty much know who ID'd their guns and where the ID's went. I own a Hoag and Jim ID'd his guns for full house customs which Jim named his top of the line long-slides and comps as "Masterclass" &/or "mastergrade" IIRC.

But then again, the buttstock of the service rifle I use for highpower has a "Dave Salyer Bullseye Pistols" sticker and an Army Distinguished Pistol Shot sticker on it. Just so people will know where my loyalties lie, lol.